July 2011

Tearful Jolie gets Sarajevo film festival award (Reuters)

SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie was close to tears as she received a special award during an unannounced visit to Sarajevo's film festival Saturday with partner Brad Pitt.

"I will start crying if you don't stop," Oscar-awarded Jolie told the audience who gave her a standing ovation at the city's National Theater.

Jolie chose Bosnia's 1992-95 war as the setting for her first film as a director. "In the Land of Blood and Honey" is due to be released in December.

She has also visited Bosnia as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency UNHCR and funded the construction of several houses for returnees in eastern Bosnia.

Festival director Mirsad Purivatra presented Jolie with a heart-shaped award when she appeared at the closing ceremony.

"Tonight we are giving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo to a great artist, not only for the great impact she has in the world of cinema but also for persisting and her active engagement in the complexities of the real world we live in," Purivatra said.

Jolie, dressed in a long peach dress, stood on stage with eyes full of tears waiting for the clapping to die down.

"I told Brad in the car I was afraid I was going to cry," she said, her voice breaking.

Jolie's film tells the story of a love affair between a Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) woman and a Serb, who were on opposite warring sides during the conflict.

She planned to shoot parts of the film in Sarajevo and engaged a local crew. But she had to move to Budapest after some female victims of sexual violence objected to details in the plot and Bosnian authorities canceled a filming permit.

"I am so honored to be here at this festival," Jolie said after receiving the award. "There is no greater example of the strengths of the artists and the festival that began during the war and grew stronger every year."

The Sarajevo film festival was launched toward the end of the Bosnian capital's 43-month siege by Bosnian Serb forces.

Jolie presented Austrian actor Thomas Schubert with the award for the best actor for his role in the film "Atmen," directed by Karl Markovics.

Atmen, about a young offender searching for his mother, was also named best film in the festival.

Romanian actress Ada Condeascu won the prize for best actress for her role in the film "Loverboy."

(Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Pacino's daughter arrested on DWI charge in NYC (AP)

NEW YORK – The 21-year-old daughter of actor Al Pacino has been arrested on a drunken driving charge in New York City.

Police say Julie Pacino was stopped at a traffic checkpoint on West Houston (HOW'-ston) Street in Manhattan at 1:05 a.m. Saturday.

Police say Pacino's blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit for driving. Her exact blood-alcohol level was not immediately available.

Pacino is being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex pending arraignment. No information on an attorney was immediately available.

Julie Pacino is Al Pacino's daughter with acting coach Jan Tarrant. An agent for the actor didn't immediately return an email seeking comment.

Julie Pacino graduated from Tappan Zee High School in suburban Rockland County in 2007 and went on to the University of California at Los Angeles. She was a softball standout at both schools.

AP's New Carbon Fibers Material for Their Watch Casing

Audemar Piguet would never stop giving you technical wonders as the Audemars Piguet’s Millenary Carbon One introduced in 2009 is an Example. The case is forged carbon, an ultra-light material developed solely by AP. The middle section of the case is created by placing a set of carbon filaments inside a mold. The wires measuring one millimeter in diameter, is itself composed of several thousand 7-micron carbon fibers held together by a resin wire placed end to end. The wire is approximately 1/3 the diameter of human hair. These thin filaments are equivalent to 22.7 meters of carbon wire and over 100km of carbon fibers.

The mold is then compressed at high temperature at pressures of over 300 kilos per square centimeter. This process results in a material composed of 76% carbon and 24% polyamide. The hardness of 626 Vickers can be compared with the 420 Vickers score for Alacrite, another highly resistant material. The case middle and lugs are made all of a piece. The bezel, crown and pushers are in ceramics. The high-tech materials and manufacturing techniques result in a very light timepiece indeed: the Millenary Carbon One weights just 69.44 grams which is much lighter than gold or steel. Since the case has to be made individually, the unique pattern of the fibre create an uniqueness of the watch pattern. That is one of the selling feature of this watch, Light, Durable, hi-tech and beautiful.

The Carbon One reveals caliber 2884, a completely proprietary movement equipped with a tourbillon, a chronograph, and a 10-day power reserve. Twin barrels actually store enough energy to power the watch for 12 days, but a locking mechanism allows the watch to run only during the 10 days when the power delivery is at the linear consistent region. Each movement is first assembled on a trial basis in order to set it into motion. This stage requires ten days of adjustments. Once the watchmaker is sure that it runs completely smoothly, he takes it apart and cleans the parts before final assembly and casing up. It takes about 15 days to assemble a finished movement, three of which are devoted to the 80-piece tourbillon.

The high-tech theme is not stopped here at case, it continues inside the movement. Eloxed aluminium is used for the bridges and carbon for the main-plate. It’s an isotropic material composed of carbon nanofibres injected at an extremely high pressure of 7500 N/cm2 and at a temperature of 2,400°C in order to achieve a material possessing mechanical, physical, chemical stability and internal stress free in all directions. This amorphous and chemically neutral composite material maintains its dimensions over a broad range of temperatures. Due to its minimal elastic deformation, this carbon provides a highly stable base for the metal elements attached to it. Watch changes it time accuracy on temperature changes due to mechanical expansion or contraction, this main-plate is totally eliminating this concern. Beside, it is light.

The Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph were produced in a limited series of 120 pieces

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph

Reference
26152AU.OO.D002CR.01
Forged carbon case, black crocodile leather strap
Limited edition of 120

Movement
Caliber : 2884 hand-wound with twin barrel and tourbillon
Carbon main-plate
Bridges in eloxed aluminium and blackened steel
Total diameter : 38.40 x 33.40 mm
Casing diameter : 37.40 x 32.40 mm
Thickness : 9.7 mm
30 jewels
336 parts
Up to 240-hour power reserve
Cadence of the balance : 21,600 vibrations per hour
Finishing : all parts decorated by hand.

Case
Forged carbon with black ceramic bezel, crown and push-buttons
Dimensions : 47 x 42 mm
Cambered glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Blackened titanium back fitted with sapphire crystal
Water resistant to 20 meters

Dial
Open-worked to reveal the movement
White hour-markers with luminescent coating
Blackened luminescent hands

Strap
Hand-sewn “large square scale” crocodile leather with AP folding clasp in blackened titanium

Functions
Hours and minutes
Chronograph
Power-reserve indicator

Where to Buy the Best valued pre-owned Rolex in HK!?

(The Pictures shown here on top is Kuen Kee and the Bottom is Luen Shing)
Where to Buy the Best valued pre-owned Rolex in HK?
This is a question from friends and fans of Rolex to me.
Well, to me, when I buy a pre-owned Rolex I have the following requirement.
1.The goods is original Rolex and Rolex parts
2.The Goods was bought from a Reliable legal source
3.The Goods is having no problem and having Rolex original Quality.
4.Come with Original Warranty certificates and Boxes.
5.The Price must be right and to me… I mean Cheap!
Well, as everyone knows that the first 1,000 Starbucks coffees for the day are made for paying for the rent in HK. As The rental fee in HK is likely Highest in the World. So when you enter the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui hotel shopping arcade to buy a pre-owned Rolex.. likely 10% is going to the pocket of the top-five Landlords of HK, through indirectly the Watch Shop.
So Where Can I buy good value for money Roles in HK!?
Well, My choice is Luen Shing and Kuen Kee in Sham Shui Po…
Why? As Sham Shui Po is HK’s poorest district in terms of People average annual income . The rent is almost lowest in HK, and the rent may be just 20% for that of Tsim Shan Tsui.
And They owe their shop. Meaning that they have intrinsic 20% tendency to be cheaper that other people running the same business.
That is True when you compare their price!
Another point is that they sell almost Rolex only, so you have a lot of choice.
They have been running almost 30 years under the same owner… So they have a good connection with Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore and Philippines buyers., In fact Kuen Kee does Whole Sales for Rolex….
On their other hand, their extensive experience to tell how good the Rolex watches are when they buy it.. Also since they owe the pawn shops they can some time get some very rare Rolex and they can dare to buy up!
So, next time when you think of buying pre-owned Rolex go to these shops!
Luen Shing is situated at Cheung Sha Wan Road 169. They open from 1200-1900 only
Kuen Kee is situated at Ground Floor, 25 Pei ho Street, Sham Shui Po Kowloon.
Tel 27206632, 23864010. Website: http://www.kkwatch.com/ you can exit Sham Shui Po MTR Exit A2, go alone Pei Ho Street, across about 4 block of building, 200 metres away, you will find it. Not too difficult to find for Foreigner. If you are not too sure, go Google Map to take a look first. They Accept VISA… you can ask for some discount…if you are a good sweet talker… well, try to bring home a Good Rolex…
Ps. They display about 400 Rolex watches in the Kuen Kee Shops.
The DeepSEA is selling from HKD$35,000 to HKD$49,000, Submariner is selling HKD$37,000 to HKD$43,000. Explorer is Selling from HKD$29000-36,000.
In Luen Shing I have seen about 80 Rolexes Today.This is purely my personal comment only as I do not mean to say something bad about the shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, however the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui may have more other brands such as VC, AP PP, FM, RD, IWC, Cartier…etc
Sham Shui Po Snob

10 Mindboggling Ways to Remember Your Deceased Pet

I'm always a big fan of Oddee.com because of their bizarre collection of odd things. It's also one of the website where I pick articles to post when I'm out of something to write to. Today, I choose their animal bizarre category.

It's always sad when a beloved pet dies. However, there are more ways than ever to honor its memory, be it by making a fur coat from its hair, jewelry in the shape of its nose or mixing its ashes into a record or a pillow.

1 - Hug A Pillow Containing Their Ashes

If you've ever wanted to give your long gone furry friends a big fat hug, the soft-hearted pillow will let you cuddle up and take a nap with your deceased pet. The Soft-Hearted pillow contains a small plastic pouch that will seal in their ashes tight so you can cuddle them for eternity. You can even personalize your pillow with embroidery or trimmings to further memorialize your critter.

2 - Rock Out With Their Record

Whether you named your pet after a musician or “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window” makes you think of your beloved critter, sometimes music is one of the best ways to remember your lost loved one. That's why And Vinyl presses ashes into vinyl records for you to listen to forever after. You can either use your favorite song or have the company write a track specifically for you and your pet. The company will even paint a portrait of your pet using its ashes and include that as the album's cover art.

3 - Make A Necklace From Their Hair

If your fluffy kitty or puppy left hair all over the house, or if you had a chance to shave off some of their fur before their cremation or burial, you can always try rolling their fur into balls and then turning those balls into jewelry like designer Kate Benjamin.

4 - Wear A Sweater Made From Their Fur

Alternatively, if you want a bigger tribute made from your critter's fur then you can always have the hair turned into yarn and then knitted into sweaters like these people who are part of Erwan Fichou's Dogwool series. While the models used in Fichou's series are given their own jackets made from their dog's fur courtesy of the photographer, you'll have to find your own knitter to work with the fur because Fichou will only accept volunteers who are willing to pose in the jackets beside the pets who provided the fur.

5 - Load Bullets With Their Ashes

Did little Fido love hunting with you? Then why not take him on one more hunt by loading up your shotgun cartridges with his ashes like Joanna Booth did with her husband's ashes? While you can probably find a weapons dealer locally who could help add the ashes to your bullets, Caledonian Cartridge Company in England will most certainly be willing to take on the challenge, being as how they already helped Mrs. Booth with the process.

6 - Form A Diamond With Their Ashes

Pets only live for a short while, but diamonds are forever, so why not let your past pet live on forever in a stunning piece of jewelry? A Japanese company named Lido can turn your pet's ashes into a yellow diamond up to one carat in size, which can then be set into a jewelry piece for you to wear for the rest of your life.

7 - Create Jewelry From Their Nose

Artist Jackie Kaufman uses a quick-forming silicon mold to take imprints of pet's noses, which she then uses to cast metal pendants. While the process is fast enough that it doesn't bother living cats and dogs, it could just as easily be adapted for those who have recently passed away.

8 - Tattoo Them On Your Arm

Sure you could tattoo a portrait of your pet on your arm, but if you really want to personalize your tribute tattoo, you could always incorporate some of your furry friend's ashes. While there are a lot of tattoo shops willing to mix the ashes in with the ink they use, be sure you ask ahead of time because some shops are unwilling to perform this procedure.

9 - Immortalize Them As Art

If you aren't up to inking a permanent tribute of your pet onto your skin, then you can always have a more traditional portrait of them painted by artist Wayne DeFrances, who will incorporate your pet's ashes into the paint he uses.

Note: The Image is for illustration purposes and is not of Wayne DeFrances or his artwork.

10 - Clone Them

If you just can't give up your beloved pet, you can always try cloning them if you have a DNA sample and $50,000 lying around like Bernann McKinney did when she got five clones of her beloved pit bull created. Of course, the new puppy clone may look just like your old furry friend, but it will not grow up to have the same personality and behavioral traits, so really, aren't you better off adopting a new puppy from your local animal shelter?

I will try number 10 to clone Pam(My deceased dog). I missed her a lot. She died when she accidentally cross the street and run on a huge truck. Feels so sad now, though it's been part of our life's journey and the important part is that, once in my life I know someone named Pamela that cheers when I go home everyday.

Reference/Source: Oddee.com

Dazzled cops arrest Clark Gable in Hollywood (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Clark Gable, a grandson of the late movie legend, was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly pointing a laser device at a police helicopter.

The 22-year-old was detained with a friend after a patrolling police pilot reported a "bright green laser light" had illuminated his cockpit over Sunset Boulevard.

"Suddenly the cockpit was illuminated with green light, a laser light, the pilot took evasive action," Gus Villanueva of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)'s Hollywood station told the local KCAL9 television station.

Officers on the ground traced the source of the light to a car, inside which were Clark James Gable and a friend, Maximilian Anderson, 23. They were booked for a felony and held on $250,000 bail.

Gable was released later in the day, and is due to appear in court on August 26. "It was a misunderstanding, you know, people make mistakes and you learn from them," Gable told KCAL9.

He said the laser "was just a gift that I got and people make mistakes and that's the bottom line.

"I'm going to learn from it and hopefully others will."

His grandfather was most famous as Rhett Butler in 1939's "Gone for the Wind," which earned him an Oscar nomination, five years after he won an Academy Award for his role in "It Happened One Night."

Appeals court sides with J.Lo in home video fight (AP)

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer – Fri Jul 29, 7:15 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – An appeals court sided Friday with Jennifer Lopez and ordered that an invasion of privacy lawsuit she filed against her first husband be handled in arbitration rather than through a public court case.

The ruling by California's 2nd District Court of Appeal states that Lopez's attorneys provided a Los Angeles judge with plenty of information supporting her request that she had a binding arbitration agreement with ex-husband Ojani Noa.

Lopez sued Noa for $10 million in November 2009 after he and his agent announced plans to use portions of 11 hours of home videos to produce a movie based on the couple's relationship. The couple was married in 1997, but the union lasted just 11 months.

A settlement agreement between the two prohibits Noa from "disclosing for monetary gain any private or intimate details about Lopez or Noa's relationship with Lopez." It also binds any of his agents to the same terms.

The videos, which both sides agree does not depict the singer and actress in sexual situations, have been blocked for release by a judge. Noa's agent, Ed Meyer, however threatened to release clips from the videos earlier this year, which prompted a judge to order them to be stored in a bank safe deposit box with restricted access in June.

The court ordered Friday that Meyer is also subject to the arbitration provisions. He wrote in an email that he will appeal the ruling to the California Supreme Court. Noa's attorney, Christopher Lauria, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Lopez, 42, won $545,000 in damages and attorney fees in 2007 in another lawsuit that blocked Noa from publishing a ghostwritten tell-all book.

She and her third husband, singer Marc Anthony, announced earlier this month that they were ending their seven-year marriage.

Gabor's husband puts up 25th anniversary billboard (AP)

By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen, Ap Entertainment Writer – Thu Jul 28, 8:17 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband is saying happy anniversary in a big way. Frederic Von Anhalt has taken out a billboard on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles to celebrate the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. Beside the couple's wedding photo, it reads, "Prince Frederic & Princess Zsa Zsa 25 years and counting." It also includes Von Anhalt's website.

Gabor and Von Anhalt were married August 14, 1986.

He said the billboard is an anniversary gift for his ailing 94-year-old wife, who smiled when she saw a picture of it on TV.

"She said, `Oscar de la Renta,'" Von Anhalt said Thursday, adding that she is wearing a dress by the designer in the photo on the billboard. "It was her favorite dress, and she looked at it and she remembered it."

Von Anhalt said he spent his "life savings" on the $68,000 billboard, which will be up for one month.

"The billboard was very expensive," said the 68-year-old, who says he is a German prince. "I just put my life savings in it. I said forget about tomorrow. I want to do it today. I want to do it for her."

"Being married to Zsa Zsa these 25 years, it's priceless," he continued. "What she gave to me, the things we did together, the happy life we had together, you can't pay for it with money. It was perfect. It was just perfect and we're going to go on."

Gabor has been hospitalized repeatedly over the past year and had her leg amputated in January. Von Anhalt said she remains bedridden at home.

"It didn't get better or worse," he said. "Every day is a gift from God when you're 94 and have been through all those things. We make the best out of it and make it as comfortable as possible for her."

He said that he is planning an anniversary party at the couple's Bel-Air home next month. Gabor wants to see some friends, he said, who will be allowed to visit her in her bedroom one at a time.

Von Anhalt said his wife will have her hair and makeup done for the party: "She can't get out of bed, but I want her to look beautiful."

___

AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen can be reached at www.twitter.com/APSandy.

___

Online:

www.princefrederic.com

Robin Williams, Brendan Fraser join Discovery's 'Curiosity' (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Robin Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and Brendan Fraser have signed on as hosts for Discovery Channel's upcoming series "Curiosity," the cable outlet announced at the Television Critics Assn. press tour on Friday.

The series, which premieres August 7 at 8 p.m., will explore various mysteries. Williams will delve into the topic of how drugs work; "The Mummy" actor Fraser will ponder what lies beneath the ground in Egypt; and Jackson will reflect on how the world might end.

The series will also feature "Avatar" actress Michelle Rodriguez exploring whether the human race is ready for an alien invasion, and "Secretary" star Maggie Gyllenhaal diving into the topic of why sex is so fun.

"Curiosity" was created by John Hendricks, founder and chairman of Discovery Communications.

Beatles barber turns shop into tribute to Fab Four (Reuters)

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Beatles fan Gerardo Weiss ran a typical Buenos Aires barber shop until he had a dream that the Fab Four dropped in for a haircut.

Seven years later, Weiss has made Beatles-inspired cuts his specialty.

"The dream got etched on my memory," he said at the modest salon, the walls plastered with photos of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

"I decided to get rid of the pictures these places usually have and just put up photos of The Beatles ... so people could see them and ask for their haircuts," he said.

One picture shows Lennon cutting someone's hair, another is of Harrison with curly locks down to his shoulders. It is the stuff of inspiration for Weiss.

"My favorite Beatles' haircut is the one Paul McCartney had in '74, when he was doing the Band on the Run tour ... it was short on the sides and longer at the back," said Weiss, whose eight-year-old son is called Lennon.

"When my wife got pregnant I prayed to God for a son, so I could pay homage to John," he said as "Hey Jude," with Lennon strumming on a guitar, played in the background.

It was 40 years ago that the hairdresser first heard a Beatles record, a moment he recalls with almost religious fervor. It was "Love Me Do," the Beatles' first single, that started his life-long love affair with the British band.

At first, the salon's Beatles-inspired makeover was a little too radical for many locals in the working-class city neighborhood of Flores.

Weiss said it was a struggle to convince customers a Beatles' haircut is as cool today as it was when the band from Liverpool revolutionized popular music in the 1960s.

But word spread and people from outside Buenos Aires and even abroad began trickling, joining more adventurous locals.

"I've told some of my friends, the ones who are Beatles fans, to come and they liked the results," Mario Genua, a 22-year-old petrol station attendant, said as Weiss styled his hair into a "John 1964" -- fluffy on top and at the sides.

"They were very different (and) they're still fashionable," he said.

Weiss has no plans to move his business to bigger premises in a trendy neighborhood or to tap into the city's booming tourist trade.

His dream is to keep Beatles' cuts in style.

"I'll carry The Beatles in my soul, my spirit, my blood for the rest of my life," he said. "They left a mark on me and I'm really happy to be able to do what I do. I even get paid for it."

Judge backs Lopez over home video row with ex (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – A US appeal court sided with superstar Jennifer Lopez in a privacy dispute with her ex-husband over the use of the former couple's home videos.

The singer and actress, who annnounced last week that she was splitting from actor husband Marc Anthony, is seeking $10 million from her ex, Ojani Noa, and writer Ed Meyer.

Lopez says the video footage, which is not of a sexual nature, contains private information about her and her relationship with Noa, whom she married in 1997 but divorced 11 months later.

The 42-year-old, who originally sued Noa and Meyer in November 2009, alleges that the pair plan to make a movie she says is to be called "How I Married Jennifer Lopez: The J. Lo and Ojani Noa Story."

Noa and Meyer deny they are planning a tell-all movie and say it would not have the title stated in the lawsuit.

On Friday, a three-justice panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal, reversing a lower court's ruling, said Lopez can force Noa and Meyer to resolve the case by arbitration.

The lawsuit was the second Lopez filed against Noa after their divorce: in 2007 she won $545,000 and legal costs for breach of contract over a planned ghostwritten tell-all book.

The book, which was blocked from being published, reportedly recounted how Lopez had had multiple affairs, including with her current husband Marc Anthony whom she is now leaving after seven years of marriage.

Prince William 'confronted' Murdoch execs on hacking (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Prince William expressed disappointment to two of Rupert Murdoch's top executives that no one from the media tycoon's empire apologised for hacking his aides' phones, a report said Saturday.

During a lunch meeting in January, the British prince admonished Rupert Murdoch's son James and Rebekah Brooks, who were at the time both executives in Murdoch's British newspaper wing News International, The Times newspaper said.

William, second in line to the throne, reportedly said he was disappointed that no one from the publisher of the now defunct News of the World tabloid contacted him to apologise after his aides' voice messages were intercepted.

During the meal at a five-star hotel in north Wales, the prince is reported to have said that "it would have been nice if someone at the time had apologised."

Brooks, who resigned as News International chief executive this month amid the hacking scandal, and James Murdoch, chairman of News International, both said sorry during the meal, the report said.

A source quoted in the paper added James Murdoch was shocked no apology had already been offered.

The meal, which was organised by royal officials to build relations with the press, was "largely friendly", The Times said.

The original police investigation into phone hacking in 2006 centred on illegal interception of voicemail messages of royal officials.

The News of the World's royal editor and a private investigator were jailed in 2007 for hacking into the phones of members of the royal household.

The paper maintained for several years that the hacking was the work of a "rogue reporter" but it has emerged since that the practice was more widespread.

Soulja Boy not buying jet: spokesman (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Rap star Soulja Boy is not buying a private plane, despite a report that he was shelling out $55 million for a tricked-out G5 jet, his spokesman said on Friday.

The celebrity website TMZ.com had reported the performer of such tracks as "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" and "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" bought the jet as a birthday present for himself. Soulja Boy turned 21 on Thursday.

"The elaborate rumors circulating about Soulja Boy purchasing a jet for his 21st birthday are grossly over exaggerated and are not true," spokesman Greg Miller said in a statement.

Soulja Boy, whose given name is DeAndre Cortez Way, recently borrowed a billionaire's private jet, but he has no immediate plans to buy one, said one source near the rapper.

The identity of the actual jet owner was not clear.

The Web savvy Soulja Boy first gained fame with online postings of his songs and his "Crank That" dance demonstration. He plans to celebrate his 21st birthday at a star-studded party in a Miami nightclub on Friday night.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis)

Linda Ronstadt to release memoir (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Grammy Award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt will release a memoir in 2013 called "Heart Like a Wheel," borrowing the title of one of her albums, her publisher said on Thursday.

The book, to be published by New York-based Simon & Schuster, will describe Ronstadt's rise to fame and career.

Her life story includes winning 10 Grammy awards and proving herself in a variety of musical styles from rock to opera. She also dated California Governor Jerry Brown, back when he first led the state in the 1970s.

The 65 year-old Ronstadt has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, Simon & Schuster said.

The Arizona-born singer's 1974 album "Heart Like a Wheel" is one of her most popular releases, and her hit songs include "Desperado" and "Different Drum."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Christine Kearney)

Congressman wants to limit chopper traffic over LA (AP)

LOS ANGELES – It's a sound that can set windows to rattling, dogs to barking and babies to crying, and it's one that's instantly recognizable to pretty much anybody who lives or works in Los Angeles.

It's that whumpah, whumpah, whumpah sound of helicopter blades tearing through the air, coupled with the steady whine of a powerful aircraft motor hovering right above you.

Depending on where you are, hearing it may mean Charlie Sheen has just left his house, Paris Hilton is headed into a courtroom or some sort of fender-bender accident has blocked freeway traffic in all directions.

"It sounds like `Apocalypse Now,'" said Beverly Hills resident Ellen Lutwak, making reference to the famous Vietnam War helicopter scenes from that film.

"I hear it and I know Lindsay Lohan or her friends are in the `hood," added Lutwak, who lives down the block from the Beverly Hills courthouse and works at home.

A congressman, spurred on by numerous complaints from constituents, some of them neighbors of Sheen, says it's time to put a stop to the noise.

"Residents deserve relief from the thunderous clacking of helicopter blades hovering directly over their homes, and instead all they've been getting is the runaround from government agencies," said Rep. Howard Berman, D-Los Angeles, whose district includes Sheen's neighborhood.

He introduced legislation Thursday that would order the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict helicopter flight paths and set minimum altitudes. Berman's bill, however, leaves the hard work of figuring out exactly where those flight paths should go and what the minimum altitudes should be to the FAA itself.

The FAA does have existing rules in place regulating helicopter traffic. Over a congested area, copters are not allowed to fly lower than 1,000 feet above a crowd or the highest obstacle. They can get down to 500 feet in a less congested area.

"Safety is always the FAA's top priority, and we aggressively investigate allegations of unsafe aircraft operations by airplane and helicopter pilots," the agency said in a statement issued Friday. "The FAA works with helicopter operators and community groups around the country to find ways for these aircraft to operate safely and with minimal community noise impacts."

The problem, says Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, is not necessarily one helicopter showing up but a dozen or more.

His neighborhood, which hugs the hills that separate the San Fernando Valley from Los Angeles' West Side, got a recent double blast of noise from a small army of choppers.

First, there was the well-documented activity around the home of Sheen when he was fighting with the producers of the TV show "Two and a Half Men," who eventually fired him. Then there was Carmageddon, the massive traffic jam that was supposed to tie up Close's neighborhood, but really didn't, when a nearby freeway was shut down for repair work earlier this month.

"During Carmageddon it was day and night, nonstop. And it was not one or two helicopters," Close said. "It was 10, 15, even worse. During Carmageddon there were private charter helicopters bringing people up who wanted to see the traffic jam."

Larry Welk, a veteran TV news reporter and president of the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association, said he doesn't believe Berman's bill, if it passes, will have much effect on quieting neighborhoods. He noted it would exempt all military, emergency and medical helicopters, which he said make up most of the chopper traffic over Los Angeles.

As for news helicopters, Welk said their ranks have actually decreased in recent years as the economy has soured. The incidents involving paparazzi chartering choppers to follow someone like Hilton to court, as they did a few years ago, don't happen as often as people think they do, Welk said.

One thing that seemed to help set off copter critics this week was a recent New York Times article in which a pilot for Hollywood Helicopter Tours was quoted as boasting he could make all the racket he wanted and no one on the ground could do anything about it. The company did not return a call for comment from The Associated Press.

Although Welk refrained from criticizing the pilot personally, he said such an attitude is not tolerated by his group, whose members are well trained and respectful of the people they fly over.

"I think the impression the general public has of pilots is a bunch of guys with spurs and chaps and cowboy hats sitting around saying, `Yee haw, let's go fly,' and it's not like that all," he said. "This is our job and we're very professional about it."

Rosie O'Donnell puts laughter at center of new show (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) – Rosie O'Donnell said Thursday her upcoming daily talk show on Oprah Winfrey's OWN channel would blend celebrity chat, game shows, news topics and a big dose of her own brand of humor.

As for controversy? Well, maybe.

"We are going to have a controversy segment," the often outspoken O'Donnell deadpanned. "No, we're not!"

"We are not going to look for controversy, but should it be germane to what is happening in the world, I am sure we will bring up current events," she added.

The fledgling OWN cable network said the "The Rosie Show" will make its debut on October10 at 7pm and run five days a week.

It marks a return to TV talk shows for the actress, comedian and activist who won multiple Emmys for "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996-2002 and who then had a short-lived and headline-grabbing stint as co-host of "The View."

But if O'Donnell's appearance promoting the show on Thursday to a gathering of television critics is any indication, it's the comic aspects of the new program that may be making headlines.

O'Donnell, 49, said she had turned down offers from mainstream TV networks in favor of Winfrey's female-oriented lifestyle cable channel, which launched in January but has struggled to gain large audiences.

"It's a huge stamp of approval that is beyond anyone's dream. It's almost like being knighted," she said of joining

OWN.

But asked how she fit in with Winfrey's aspirational programing, she replied.

"I think the reason for my success is that I am not aspirational, but inspirational because people relate to me because I am not Madonna."

"I am more the audience...no-one is at home going 'if I could only be Rosie O'Donnell, an overweight lesbian who yells too much," she joked.

She said she hoped to mix up the traditional talk show format by having celebrity guests who are happy to have fun on TV, and she put British comedian and actor Russell Brand on top of her wish list.

"I find him fascinating" she said, adding that the "epic gorgeous and fantastic" British singer Adele was high on her ideal guest list, too.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Vanity Fair releasing e-book on News Corp's Rupert Murdoch (Reuters)

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) Readers can now learn everything they have ever wanted to know about their favorite media mogul for a mere $4.

Vanity Fair has released an e-book on News Corp. Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch featuring a series of articles that detail various aspects of the media mogul and his empire.

"Rupert Murdoch: The Master Mogul of Fleet Street" features 20 articles spread out over six chapters as chosen by editor Graydon Carter.

The articles, which date from 1984 to the present, are written by various Vanity Fair writers and editors, including Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff and the magazine's contributing editor Sarah Ellison.

The six chapters are: "All in the Family," "The Newspaperman Part I," "In the Realm of the Mogul," "The New Frontiersman," "The Newspaperman, The Final Act" and "The Lion in Winter."

With the digital release, Vanity Fair will beat a pair of scribes who already had book deals (including the Guardian's Nick Davies) to the punch.

Lady Gaga to release book of photographs (AP)

NEW YORK – Lady Gaga will release a book of photographs with fashion photographer Terry Richardson.

Grand Central Publishing announced Thursday that it will release the book, "Lady Gaga," on Nov. 22. The publisher said the book will include more than 350 color and black-and-white photographs of Gaga.

Richardson followed the singer for 10 months between Aug. 2010 and Feb. 2011. That time period includes Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour and the recording of her album "Born This Way."

Lady Gaga will write the book's forward.

On Thursday, the pop star surpassed 12 million followers on Twitter.

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Online:

Lady Gaga website: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/us_people_lady_gaga/42412870/SIG=10pih1hkj/*http://www.ladygaga.com

Jill Scott still in shock over No. 1 "Light of the Sun" (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Six weeks have passed since R&B singer Jill Scott hit No. 1 on album charts with "The Light of the Sun," and she still finds herself in shock.

That may sound odd from the Philadelphia native whose debut album, "Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1" was released 11 years ago. Since then, she has recorded more music and become a well-respected actress with roles in films such as "Hounddog" and "Why Did I Get Married," as well as starring in HBO television series "Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency."

But for "Light of the Sun," Scott took a new path in her singing career. She veered into hip hop, and the road that heretofore was less chosen, proved to be a good direction. Scott kicked off her 18-city Summer Block Party tour this week in Boston and stopped in New York on Thursday night.

"I (still) don't believe it...I have a copy (of the Billboard album chart), but I still don't believe it," Scott told Reuters about her success with "Light of the Sun."

"Somebody sent me a text message, 'Congratulations on the No. 1 album,' and I thought they were talking about the R&B chart. I was really happy about that. Then I found out it was the No.1 album in the country. It's overwhelming," said Scott.

"Light of the Sun" marks other significant milestones for Scott. The record was her first project since a split from Hidden Beach Recordings last year, and it is the inaugural project for her Blues Babe imprint in collaboration with Warner Bros. Records.

On the new album, the classic rap songs she listened to growing up and the current hits she keeps in rotation today heavily influenced Scott, she said, whose musical style has typically been a fusion of soul, jazz and R&B.

PERSONAL FAVORITES

One of her personal favorites on the new album, "All Cried Out Redux" features Doug E. Fresh, who was a pioneer in rap music and among Scott's early favorites in the genre.

"As a child of hip-hop, having recording anything with Doug E. Fresh is just surreal," said Scott.

Houston rapper Paul Wall, whom Scott calls one of the "nicest guys in hip-hop," joins her on "So Gone (What My Mind Says)" representing the voice of a mesmerizing, but less than chivalrous, lover she can't seem to shake.

How did the transformation to hip hop come about?

Last year, Scott was on a neosoul tour opening for singer Maxwell, singing the songs with which her fans were familiar, such as "Lyzel in E Flat" and "The Way." But Scott said her head, and heart, were in hip-hop.

"I started thinking about what kind of music I needed to hear before I went on stage. I think that was the catalyst. I need to hear Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross and Mobb Deep," she said.

Hip-hop not only influenced the sound of this album but also Scott's recording style, approaching the music from the position of wanting to freestyle the beats, rhythms and lyrics.

"I went in and had fun. I didn't really write much. Some of the songs were recorded in one take. I freestyled pretty much the entire record," Scott said, echoing respected lyricists such as Jay-Z, who famously does not write down his lyrics.

"So Gone," for instance, was almost entirely improvised, Scott said.

In keeping with the old school theme of her album, Scott's Block Party tour is deejayed by acclaimed producer, master of turntables and fellow Philadelphian, DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The tour also reunites Scott with Doug E. Fresh. Vocalist Anthony Hamilton and R&B band Mint Condition open the show.

The tour next visits Detroit and has further stops in Chicago and Cleveland before ending on August 28 in Houston.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Hot Sexy Nepali Models Part IV

Video creators look for bigger audiences at VidCon (AP)

By DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang, Ap Entertainment Writer – Fri Jul 29, 9:38 am ET

LOS ANGELES – At a weekend conference for online video, one might expect cute puppies or unlucky skateboarders to be in attendance. Perhaps a "Twilight" cast member or Rebecca Black would be there?

Yet none of the above is present, though one panel — "I Got This, You Got This, Now You Know It" — is named after a lyric from Black's viral music video sensation "Friday."

The attendees at the second annual VidCon, which runs through Sunday at a Century City hotel, are decidedly more aspirational than accidental. They are sketch comedians, musicians, make-up artists, animators, acrobats and other creative-types seeking to build their online followings and meet like-minded online video creators.

More than 2,400 attendees are expected to attend — and record — sessions on such topics as how to create special effects on the cheap and how to juggle a job and passion for crafting online video. Online video luminaries like "Annoying Orange" creator Dane Boedigheimer and singing sensation Jimmy Wong will be among the speakers.

"YouTube really is a cult of personalities," said Ben Relles, the mastermind behind the "Obama Girl" viral video who now works at YouTube developing online video talent. "As you'll see this weekend, people who have big-time personalities and are able to rally fanbases around them tend to do really well on the platform. It's a really social platform."

During a Thursday panel about growing audiences, Relles advised creators to be consistent, trim what's unnecessary and pay attention to the first 15 seconds of their videos. He said the algorithm that YouTube uses to promote videos measures how long viewers actually watch them. If watchers don't make it past the first 20 seconds, it's as if they didn't click on it.

In recent years, thousands of amateurs have gone pro on YouTube, transforming their part-time hobbies into full-fledged careers by becoming one of the Google Inc.-owned company's "partners," a group of uploaders with whom YouTube shares advertising revenue. Despite the popularity of online video, many creators still want mainstream success.

Ryan Pino, a 21-year-old college student from Long Beach, Calif., who posts videos of himself playing and teaching guitar on the "pinoguy321" channel, came to VidCon looking to meet future collaborators. His goal with his YouTube channel is to reach 100,000 subscribers. He currently has just over 5,000 followers. Ultimately, he wants to sell his own tunes.

"YouTube is great, but it's definitely not the endgame," said Pino. "The endgame is playing shows and touring."

Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, pioneers of the online video realm with a series of silly creations, crossed over from YouTube to IFC this year with "Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings," a half-hour series documenting the duo as they produce over-the-top local commercials. Neal doesn't think of online videomaking as just another way to break into Hollywood.

"We want to have a hand in all genres," said Neal, "even writing books."

With the proliferation of online video beyond computers on devices like smartphones and TVs, attendees of the sold-out conference — including organizers John and Hank Green, known online as the Vlogbrothers — think there's room for growth, including for VidCon itself.

While it's not quite another Comic-Con just yet, next year's VidCon is expanding from a modest hotel to a larger venue: the Anaheim Convention Center.

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Derrik J. Lang can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang/.

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Online:

http://www.vidcon.com/

Statue for Chuck Berry erected in St. Louis (Reuters)

ST. LOUIS (Reuters) – Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, spry and smiling at 84 years-old, gave a wave of approval dedicating an eight-foot bronze statue of himself on Friday before a cheering crowd of about 500 people.

The statue was erected in the Delmar Loop entertainment district of St. Louis despite opponents who objected to the monument, citing Berry's legal troubles during his long career.

"I won't keep you long," Berry, wearing his trademark boating cap, told a crowd that gathered despite heat surpassing 90 degrees. "I don't know how to speak, I just sing a little bit. I'm going to say thank you again, and I love you all."

Berry's rapid fire lyrics and revolutionary guitar riffs landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earned the lifelong St. Louis resident a Presidential medal of honor.

He is listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the five top all-time rock acts along the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley.

Berry, who first played in 1941, still performs every month at Blueberry Hill, across the street from the statue.

Among those sending greetings to Berry was Elvis Costello, who said he was glad to see a Berry statue "in St. Louis where it belongs" and from fellow rock pioneer Little Richard who called Berry "the greatest entertainer in the world."

Berry was joined at the podium by his wife, children and grandchildren who joined his fans in singing "Johnny B. Goode," his signature 1957 hit, as the rock icon made his way through the crowd at the end of the ceremony.

A plaza near the statue features illuminated walls with laser-engraved musical notes of "Johnny B. Goode". Concrete strips in the sidewalk are etched with the lyrics of Berry songs.

Opposition to the statue came earlier this summer when a former city council member gathered 100 signatures aimed at delaying the installation. The opposition centered on felony convictions in Berry's early career, including a 1962 conviction for transporting a woman across state lines for immoral purposes.

Berry spent three years in prison, where he penned several songs, including "No Particular Place to Go."

Berry collapsed during a show in Chicago last New Year's Day but recovered in time to play his next show in St. Louis and showed no signs of ill effects at the dedication ceremony.

His next Blueberry Hill show is scheduled for August 17.

(Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Yacht party on eve of Britain's second royal wedding (AFP)

EDINBURGH (AFP) – Queen Elizabeth II's eldest granddaughter Zara Phillips and her fiance Mike Tindall threw a party on a yacht Friday on the eve of their wedding, with Prince William and wife Catherine among the guests.

Phillips and England rugby star Tindall hosted drinks on the Royal Yacht Britannia after a wedding rehearsal for Saturday's service in Edinburgh, which they ended with a brief kiss outside the church to the delight of well-wishers.

Among guests arriving at the party was Catherine, wearing a mid-length green dress, who headed up the red-carpeted steps followed by husband William, second in line to the throne, wearing a blue suit and red tie.

They are attending the wedding just three months after their own marriage on April 29, which drew worldwide attention.

Prince Harry, William's younger brother, was last to arrive at the yacht, bouncing up the steps two at a time and entering the party to a huge cheer.

Phillips, wearing a white one-shoulder dress with a blue print design, and Tindall mingled with guests on the outside decking area of the ship during the two-hour party, as a live band played and waiters served champagne and canapes.

The older generation of Britain's royal family was absent, with no sign of the queen, her husband Prince Philip or William's father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.

The yacht, permanently moored in Edinburgh's port of Leith, served the royal family for 44 years, carrying them on 968 official voyages all around the world before it was decommissioned in 1997.

Phillips' parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, honeymooned on the ship, cruising the Caribbean in 1973.

The queen adored the yacht and wept in public for the first time when it was retired.

Before the party, former eventing world champion Phillips and rugby World Cup winner Tindall arrived at Edinburgh's 17th century Canongate Kirk in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar for one last run-through of the service.

The couple, both dressed in jeans, spent about 50 minutes inside, along with the Reverend Neil Gardner, who will conduct the ceremony, and Tindall's best man Iain Balshaw, his former Bath and England colleague.

At William and Catherine's wedding, more than a million people lined the streets of London and an estimated two billion more watched on television.

Phillips' wedding, a much more intimate affair, is not being televised but filming equipment was seen being moved into the church.

Canongate Kirk holds up to 400 people and is about 400 metres away from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch's official residence in Scotland, where the reception will be held.

The last royal wedding in Scotland was that of Anne and her second husband Timothy Laurence.

They married in 1992 at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, the queen's private estate in Scotland.

Belafonte says Obama lacks moral courage, vision (AP)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Singer and activist Harry Belafonte says President Barack Obama and his "mission" have failed because of a lack of moral courage and vision.

The president is "not a stand-alone," Belafonte said Thursday. Regarding the debt-ceiling crisis, Belafonte said he would ask Congress, the president and other U.S. institutions of power "what happened to moral truth" and moral courage.

Belafonte made his remarks to the Television Critics Association while discussing "Sing Your Song," a documentary about him airing this fall on HBO. The 84-year-old singer, known as the King of Calypso, has pushed for political and social change since the U.S. civil rights movement.

He hopes the documentary will illuminate a time when Americans faced problems and found the resources to face them, Belafonte said. "Sing Your Song" debuts Oct. 17.

Singer will.i.am to work with US, perform in China (AFP)

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US singer will.i.am, the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas, will partner with the State Department to promote cultural and educational exchanges with China by directing a concert in Beijing this year.

The Grammy winner met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday to discuss President Barack Obama's "100,000 Strong Initiative," which aims to increase the number of US students in China, the State Department said.

The concert, which will feature performances by will.i.am and other US and Chinese pop stars, will promote and benefit the plan, said the statement, which did not give details about the other participants.

"In order to become responsible global citizens, young people need to experience the world around them," will.i.am said in the statement.

"We must make sure that American students have the cultural awareness and skills necessary to succeed in a global economy."

Country Hall of Fame kicks off expansion campaign (AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is off to a fast start in its $75 million expansion campaign.

Officials said Thursday as they kicked off a public fundraising campaign that they've already received more than $56 million in commitments for an expansion that will more than double the size of the hall of fame. They announced plans to add more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit, classroom and archival space and an 800-seat theater.

When complete, the museum will be connected to the new Nashville convention center project across the street.

Alan Jackson and Ricky Skaggs helped kick off the campaign with music and Ford Motor Co. chairman Bill Ford and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean made appearances. Officials also announced that hall of fame board chairman Steve Turner kicked off contributions with a $6.5 million gift.

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Online:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/us_music_country_hall_of_fame/42411750/SIG=1178rbafu/*http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com

Indie stores object to Jay-Z, Kanye release plans (AP)

By CHRIS TALBOTT, AP Entertainment Writer Chris Talbott, Ap Entertainment Writer – Fri Jul 29, 6:18 am ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Scores of independent record store owners are calling out Jay-Z and Kanye West over release plans for their much-anticipated "Watch the Throne" collaboration.

Owners signed a letter that calls the exclusive deals with iTunes and Best Buy "bad news" and asks two of music's top stars to reconsider and allow more than 1,700 indie retailers equal access.

"We know that you are busy, and that you put most of your energies into creating great music, but we are writing to you in the hope that you will hear us and take the time to rectify this matter," the letter states. "As representatives of the independent record store music community, we are asking you to allow record stores and music fans equal access to your new album."

Exclusive deals are now common for top acts and it's unclear why the letter's original writers, the organizers of Record Store Day, chose this project to object. Doyle Davis, co-owner of Grimey's New and Preloved Music in Nashville, said some of the letter's signees will pull current and previous releases by the two artists from their shelves, though he will not go that far.

Jay-Z and West have agreed to give iTunes customers access to "Watch the Throne" on Aug. 8, four days ahead of everyone else. And Best Buy will exclusively sell a deluxe album till Aug. 23 when other retailers will have access.

Jay-Z's spokesman had no comment and West's did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press.

Record Store Day has become something of a holiday for independent retailers each April. This year, dozens of artists provided exclusive vinyl, performances and other perks.

Fans lined up, sometimes hours early and around the block, to score new music from acts like Radiohead and The White Stripes. Independent stores have suffered a marked decline over the last decade, casualties of the ascendance of box stores, digital music sales and a poor economy.

Now they say they just want a fighting chance.

"We believe this is a short-sighted strategy, and that your decisions will be doing great damage to over 1,700 independent record stores — stores that have supported you and your music for years," the letter states.

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AP Music Editor Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this report.

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Contact Chris Talbott at http://www.twitter.com/Chris_Talbott.

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Online:

http://www.rocnation.com/jayz

http://www.kanyewest.com

Lady Gaga collaborates on photo book (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A photo book showing pop star Lady Gaga's life on the road and in the recording studio will be released this year, the book's publisher said on Thursday.

The photo book, titled "Lady Gaga," will feature more than 350 pictures of the Grammy Award-winning singer taken by Terry Richardson between the Lollapalooza festival in August 2010 and the final shows of her "Monster Ball" tour this year, according to Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group.

The book, which will have a foreword from the 25-year-old singer, will be published on November 22.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Christine Kearney)

Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar (AP)

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS

1. (1) U2; $7,761,744; $91.98.

2. (3) Lady Gaga; $2,009,136; $85.59.

3. (2) Taylor Swift; $1,989,855; $69.78.

4. (4) Kenny Chesney; $1,497,547; $71.74.

5. (5) Bon Jovi; $1,465,605; $91.21.

6. (7) Phish; $1,006,318; $51.75.

7. (9) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band; $929,724; $71.81.

8. (10) New Kids On The Block / Backstreet Boys; $911,263; $73.41.

9. (11) Usher; $786,264; $68.05.

10. (12) Rammstein; $750,953; $61.68.

11. (13) Rush; $746,815; $72.15.

12. (14) Ricky Martin; $572,592; $70.76.

13. (15) Michael Buble; $561,408; $74.49.

14. (16) Katy Perry; $501,365; $43.95.

15. (17) Motley Crue; $493,138; $67.88.

16. (New) "American Idols Live"; $432,352; $55.03.

17. (18) Kylie Minogue; $395,854; $84.73.

18. (19) James Taylor; $267,997; $68.13.

19. (21) Tiesto; $233,669; $67.51.

20. (22) Avenged Sevenfold; $229,140; $36.90.

For free upcoming tour information, go to http://www.pollstar.com

Calif. taxidermist preserves Gaga's meat dress (AP)

KETCHIKAN, Alaska – A California taxidermist has earned a rare place in pop history.

Sergio Vigalato (VIG'-uh-lot-oh) preserved Lady Gaga's now-famous raw-meat dress for display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.

The project has prompted a swarm of media interest in the 66-year-old former Southeast Alaska charter boat skipper who's originally from Brazil.

Vigalato operates American Taxidermy in Burbank, Calif. That's where he was contacted by the museum about preserving the dress that Lady Gaga wore at the September 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

Vigalato was unaware of the dress or the artist when reached two months after the show. But he agreed to the project anyway.

The ensemble, which Lady Gaga said was a statement about equality, arrived at his shop frozen and decomposing. He restored it over the next three and a half months, and the dress went on display in June.

Festival helps Tunisians beat post-revolution angst (Reuters)

Tunis (Reuters) – In a suburb once firmly controlled by the family of the ousted president, young Tunisians are singing and dancing in a break from the months of tension and fear that have followed their country's revolution.

Rap, reggae and house music boomed out through the old Tunis port of La Goulette as the International Festival of Carthage opened for the first time since the violent overthrow six months ago of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

The festival, based around the ancient ruins of Carthage, near Tunis, gained a reputation as one of the country's most important cultural events and became a major draw for tourists visiting the north African country.

While the "Jasmine Revolution" lit a fire that has burned through much of the Arab world, Tunisians have since had to contend with political uncertainty, seemingly endless demonstrations and fear of crime.

Political reform under the new interim government is making slow progress, with elections to an assembly charged with drawing up a new constitution put back to October 23.

But as groups of young musicians got the latest edition of the Carthage festival off to an ebullient start earlier this month, culture minister Ezzeddine Bachaouch said he hoped the event would "bring joy and happiness to the hearts of Tunisians who had not been able to rejoice after their revolution."

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 after violent street protests in which more than 300 people were shot dead by the police.

Since then, many Tunisians have experienced feelings of fear despite their pride at having ousted the dictator who dominated their lives for 23 years.

People are reluctant to go out at night as they used to and shops in central Tunis close early. Fear of crime has risen following several well-publicized jail-breaks while the police presence in some neighborhoods has been weak.

So, in an effort to cheer people up, the Ministry of Culture put together a varied festival program of music, dance and theater from Tunisia, the Palestinian territories, Serbia, Italy, Spain and Syria.

In La Goulette, Hameda ben Amor, a young rapper known as the General, entertained hundreds of young people with his songs of freedom and revolution.

The General became the voice of thousands of disadvantaged young Tunisians before the revolution when he used his songs to criticize Ben Ali, who had him thrown in jail.

"YOUR PEOPLE ARE DYING"

Last December, just before the revolution, the General released a song on the Internet entitled "President, your people are dying" that addresses the problems of youth unemployment, a major factor behind the revolution.

A girl dancing and singing in the audience told Reuters: "These are great moments ... We forgot all our fear and we went out to celebrate. We are tired of staying at home because of the fear that we have lived with for months."

With a large security presence, the evening was quiet with no incidents reported.

"It is fun to sing for the people in the street and give some joy .. I'm happy because I see happiness and joy in the eyes of the people and we sing for free for people who do not have money to buy tickets," singer Sofian Safta told journalists.

Girls and young men danced and sang "Glory to Tunisia," waving the national flag in an expression of pride that the Arab Spring revolutions had their origins in Tunisia.

"It is good to celebrate victory. The memory of our victory over a tyrant will not be erased from history," one young man named Ayman Nasseri told Reuters.

"We do not feel fear today. We forgot fear when we overthrew Ben Ali," he said. "And while we are waiting to finally clean up the country of his ideas, let's relax a little and celebrate a great victory which impressed the whole world."

Under the old regime, an event like that held at La Goulette would not have been possible.

Under Ben Ali, politically activist singers, whether from Tunis or abroad, were discouraged.

Events took place in closed venues surrounded by national flags and pictures of the former president and his wife, while singers were encouraged to include numbers that praised the modern development of Tunisia.

Now, the culture ministry says: "Festivals after the revolution will give opportunities to artists who were marginalized previously."

As the Carthage festival music fades, however, Tunisians are facing an uncertain future. The October 23 election is expected to set off intense competition between secular parties and the Islamic Ennahda movement.

That, many Tunisians fear, might trigger further violence that could return the country to where it was six months ago.

(Editing by Giles Elgood)

Oscar statue from 1940s fetches $89,625 in Dallas auction (Reuters)

DALLAS (Reuters) – If you can't win an Oscar, why not buy one?

That's exactly what an avid movie buff did when a golden statue from the 1942 Academy Awards went up for auction on Friday.

A coveted collectible since Oscars are rarely for sale, the statue fetched $89,625, making it the star of bidding at Heritage Auction's movie and music auction in Dallas.

Nearly 800 items were up for bid, including items owned or worn by celebrities such as Elton John, Michael Jackson and Paul Newman, and guitars owned by Elvis Presley.

Heritage declined to release the identities of buyers. The company hosts auctions throughout the year, including a recent auction of dinosaur bones and an upcoming John Wayne auction in Los Angeles.

The Oscar statue was a rare item to turn up for sale, said Margaret Barrett, director of music and entertainment for Heritage Auctions.

A rule adopted in 1950 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences prohibits Academy Award winners or their heirs from selling a statue without first offering it back to the academy for a price of $1.

This Oscar, presented before that rule was enacted, was won by Nathan Levinson for best sound recording for the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy.

The film is a musical biography of entertainer George M. Cohan, starring James Cagney, who also took home an Oscar for best actor. The film earned eight nominations and won three Oscars, including Levinson's and Cagney's.

The Academy, which has given out about 2,800 of the hand-crafted statues since the awards began 1929, gave permission for the Oscar to be put up for auction and was offered by a private collector.

RARE MARILYN MONROE MEMORABILIA

The auction also featured Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, including rarely seen photographs from the private collection of Hollywood photographer Richard C. Miller, who died last year at the age of 98.

"Some of these images were from 1946, when she first started modeling," Barrett said. "Some of them appeared on the covers of old girlie magazines and haven't been seen since."

Marilyn Monroe was still known as Norma Jeane Dougherty when Miller started photographing her as a fresh-faced young model for the Blue Book Model Agency.

"He liked working with her because she was so photogenic," said Margaret Miller, one of photographer's two daughters.

Several of the old images, including Marilyn in the surf wearing a red bathing suit and Marilyn wearing a wedding dress, sold for about $1,500.

Miller again photographed her on the set of the film Some Like It Hot in 1959, and his photo of her in a sequined dress sold for $2,868.

Fetching $19,120, the most of any item from the Miller collection, was a model release form she signed with Miller in 1946 as Norma Jeane Dougherty.

The form was one of the more expensive items in the auction, along with a Pierrot costume worn by Elton John in two music videos in the 1980s. The costume sold for $14,340 and was presented to John by a German Pierrot in the 1970s.

(Editing by Karen Brooks and Cynthia Johnston)

Winfrey to host series recycling her old show (AP)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Oprah Winfrey is repackaging her now-ended daytime talk show to make it a key part of the lineup for OWN, her struggling cable channel.

Winfrey said Friday she will host the new series that will recycle episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as a "classroom" intended to help viewers improve their lives. The show, titled "Own Your Life," will air weekdays at 8 p.m. ET starting Oct. 10.

Appearing at a session of the Television Critics Association to announce the revamped series and introduce Rosie O'Donnell and her new OWN show, Winfrey took the opportunity to reinforce her commitment to the channel.

Friends ask, "Are you enjoying your time in the Mediterranean?" Winfrey said. But she's not on holiday, she said, "I'm here," and working in the Los Angeles offices of OWN.

It was announced earlier this month that Winfrey was expanding her role at OWN beyond the position of chairman, taking on the additional roles of chief executive officer and chief creative officer.

Winfrey is claiming the title once held by Christina Norman, the former CEO who was dismissed in May in the wake of disappointing ratings for the channel. Norman's position has been filled in the interim by Peter Liguori, the chief operating officer for Discovery Communications.

OWN, which premiered Jan. 1, is a joint venture of Discovery and Winfrey's Harpo Inc. Since Winfrey's syndicated talk show ended in May, she has pledged to devote her full energies to OWN.

Acknowledging OWN's rocky start, Winfrey said Friday that one of her biggest concerns was "aligning" the channel's executive teams, "and now we have done that." She cited the help of two executives who are with her Chicago-based production company, Harpo: Sheri Salata and Erik Logan, who share the title of OWN president.

Putting Winfrey on camera, as well as more prominently at the company's helm, is an attempt to turn around OWN's fortunes.

Plans had been in place to pull from the "library" of more than 4,500 "Oprah Winfrey Show" episodes in a show titled "Oprah's Encore." But Winfrey said Friday she realized they could be better used if organized as an on-air educational tool about life.

"At Oprah's core, she is a teacher," Salata said in a release that announced a companion online course to the talk show reruns. Viewers can sign up "to reserve their spot" in class starting Friday at Oprah.com.

School starts with the show's premiere, OWN said. "Own Your Life" will be paired with "The Rosie Show," the new Rosie O'Donnell talk show that will air daily at 7 p.m. ET, right before "Own Your Life," and will also debut Oct. 10.

Appearing before the critics' group, O'Donnell said she was proud to join Winfrey, although she labeled the media queen "aspirational" and tagged herself "relatable."

She joked about viewers saying to themselves, "Oh, if I could only be Rosie O'Donnell: an overweight lesbian who yells too much," then added, "My job is mostly to entertain and be funny."

O'Donnell made that happen Friday, drawing laughs when she said her publicist had fretted that the TV group's members might resurrect O'Donnell's dust-ups with other celebrities.

"I want to thank you for not asking anything about Donald Trump or Barbara Walters," O'Donnell said, smiling.

Bruce Lee items to be sold at Hong Kong auction (AFP)

HONG KONG (AFP) – Thirteen items belonging to the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, including a 1966 letter he wrote and a fur-lined coat will go under the hammer in a Hong Kong auction next week, according to a report.

The sale, which could raise up to HK$880,000 ($112,900), is believed to be the largest-scale auction of his memorabilia in the southern Chinese city, where Lee was raised before moving to the United States in his late teens.

Items to be sold from his estate include a letter he wrote 45 years ago to a friend in which the martial arts specialist talked about the television series The Green Hornet, in which he played Kato, a confidant of the superhero.

"The item is meaningful in the sense that it can allow us to understand more about Bruce Lee's views and what he thought about his work at that time," Wong Yiu-keung, the Bruce Lee Fan Club chairman told the South China Morning Post.

Other items to be sold at the August 6 auction include a dark-blue fur-lined coat which was made around 1973 for Lee's film Game of Death, a membership card for his kung fu institute, and a name card of Lee.

The sale is jointly organised by auction houses America's Kelleher Auctions and Phila China of Hong Kong. Bruce Lee Fan Club and Phila China could not be reached for immediate comment on Saturday.

The Hong Kong government said last month that it has shelved a plan to turn Lee's old home in the southern Chinese city -- which later became a rundown love hotel -- into a museum, citing differences with the property owner.

Fans of the icon, who died in 1973 at the age of 32, have long called for museum dedicated to Lee in the city.

Lee -- credited with catapulting the martial arts film genre into the mainstream with films including Fists of Fury and the posthumously released Enter the Dragon -- died after a severe reaction to medication.

6 Mass. men arraigned over Tim McGraw show beating (AP)

MANSFIELD, Mass. – Six Massachusetts men have pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated assault charges stemming from a brutal beating at a Tim McGraw concert in Mansfield.

Police say 19-year-old Michael Skehill of Westwood was nearly killed Sunday. He's in serious condition but is expected to recover.

A judge in Attleboro on Friday ordered one suspect, 20-year-old Perry DiMascio, held without bail after revoking his bail on an unrelated case. Bail of at least $2,500 was set for the others.

The beating appears to have started over a girl and was exacerbated by alcohol consumption.

The suspects were arrested Thursday and Friday. They include 22-year-old Brendan McCulloch; 21-year-old Michael Adams; 21-year-old Kevin Anderson; 21-year-old Daniel Morizio and 20-year-old Shane Dossantos.

Their attorneys have questioned the reliability of the evidence and witness testimony.

Pampered pooches may pop Valium to cope with N.Y. rock festival (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – When rock and roll fans flock to an outdoor music festival in upscale East Hampton next month, the pampered pooches and kitties at a neighboring animal shelter may be popping Valium to cope.

In fact, the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons is so concerned about the well-being of its 150 furry "residents" that executive director Sara Davidson also is considering noise-reducing earmuffs for the animals.

The shelter sits on 22 wooded acres flanked by an airport where the weekend-long "Music to Know Festival" is expected to draw 6,000 fans daily on August 13 and 14.

Featured artists include Ellie Goulding, the British pop singer who performed for the royal wedding of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton, as well as the Tom Tom Club and the band Vampire Weekend.

Along with the possibility of tranquilizers and earmuffs, soothing classical music will be pumped through the kennels to drown out the rock music din, Davidson said.

"The veterinarian will make the determination if any animals are reacting adversely to the sound (of the rock festival)," Davidson said.

"She will make the determination of what if any medication they need. Valium is given to animals that are experiencing nervous conditions."

The festival was originally planned for the wealthy village of Amagansett before complaints and a lawsuit caused the concert to be moved to an old runway at the East Hampton Airport, said organizer Chris Jones.

Even in its new location, the music festival has been generating complaints for months - about possible snaking traffic, blaring music and mounds of litter.

But shelter worries about the dire effect rock music will have on the dogs and cats seem a bit of a stretch, Jones said.

"The animal shelter is literally 50 yards away from the main runway at the airport," he said.

"So you literally have a G-5 engine that flies to England taking off 50 yards from the animal shelter. I don't think there's going to be noise anywhere near the animal shelter other than noise from the airplanes."

Davidson said the animals are used to the roar of jet engines but could be disturbed having to listen to rock and roll from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. two nights in a row.

"What we don't know is how the animals are going to react to amplification and the low base line," she said.

(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Jerry Norton)

Scientology book author reveals church's inner workings (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Scientology operates more as a business than as a church, relying on techniques perfected by car salesmen to attract new members and celebrities to its rolls.

That's just one of the takeaways from Janet Reitman's controversial book about the world's most controversial and secretive religion. "Inside Scientology" chronicles L. Ron Hubbard's creation of Scientology six decades ago and traces its development into the faith of choice for movie stars such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise.

In an interview with TheWrap, Reitman, a Rolling Stone contributing editor, addressed blackmail rumors and talked about why Kabbalah may represent a bigger threat to it than any "South Park" parody.

A: Is Scientology still a big religion in celebrity circles?

Reitman: I totally think that celebrity Scientologists are hesitant to be public about it these days, but I don't think they've ever had as many celebrities as people think. There are really very few. Cruise is a big celebrity. Travolta is a long-time celebrity. Jenna Elfman had a TV show, but most of these people aren't huge celebrities. Kabbalah has gotten the superstars. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Madonna -- those are big stars.

Q: How effective has Cruise been as the public face of Scientology?

A: I don't believe he's been an effective face in terms of getting new members, but he's been very effective in terms of getting the existing members excited. There was a specific strategy in place to make Cruise into the model Scientologist. It was a promotional strategy and it's been good and bad.

Existing members are not necessarily aware of how the church is perceived. They are told they should not read newspapers, they would not have watched the "South Park" episode that makes fun of them, and they would not have read the magazine article that became the basis for my book. So from their viewpoint, Cruise's behavior would be perceived completely differently than what we see. It would have made them really excited to see him jumping on Oprah's couch.

Q: There are all these rumors that celebrities like Cruise remain Scientologists because the church knows all their secrets and they fear blackmail. Any truth to that?

A: I didn't go into that too much in my book, but it seems obvious. They have the goods on everybody. A great part of the Scientology experience is the confession that happens in the auditing experience. You are constantly being asked to write up your transgressions, maybe even your unspoken transgressions. They know everything about you. They would know everything about Cruise in the same way that they would know everything about me if I were a member.

Q: How is the celebrity experience different than that of average Scientologists?

A: Basically to ensure that they have a happy experience, are shielded from anything negative. They have church appointed minders who guide them through the process. They have no idea the level of control they're under. If Scientology is a parallel universe than this is really a parallel universe.

There's been a celebrity strategy since the mid-'80s. They are seen as cash cows, as these amazing emotional tools. It's very savvy what's going on, so it's not surprising that celebrities are treated in a wonderful way, a way that's very different than an average member. They are often looked at as more important than the clergy. You have these people who have been serving the church for 35 years who have to salute Tom Cruise and call him sir.

Q: Why do you think Scientology remains so controversial?

A: I think it has to do with its history of secrecy and also its history of litigiousness. I do think that's changed slightly. In so many ways it tries to not be so secretive anymore. It tries to be less aggressive than it was in the past. You don't see them filing those giant lawsuits any longer. I think it's a residual effect. They pled guilt to conspiracy once. They conducted a domestic espionage operation. And you have all these people who left the church coming out about their experience.

Q: What shocked you the most about Scientology?

A: I didn't expect to find out how much of a business they were. They are almost like a multi-level marketing firm. They have a very shrewd marketing sense. They are drilled on how to sell. They use a book written by a car salesman that talks about sure-fire sales techniques and it shows you how to close the deal. It's an essential part of their training.

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